What should you know about eyebrow and hair loss?

Alopecia areata can cause smooth patches in more than one hair-bearing area. Telogen effluvium often causes diffuse shedding after a body stressor, while male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss tend to follow recognisable scalp distributions. Traction alopecia may affect the front hairline and brows after repeated tension. Scalp ringworm can produce scale, broken hairs and tender areas. Eyebrow loss can also come from local eyelid or skin disease, so it should not automatically be attributed to scalp shedding. A clinician considers distribution, hair shafts, skin texture, nails, medicines and recent health changes.

Photograph the scalp and eyebrows in consistent lighting and record when shedding began. Mention recent illness, surgery, stress, new medicines, restrictive eating and hair or brow styling. Use gentle cleansing, avoid tight hairstyles, and stop repeated plucking or rubbing. A clinician may examine the scalp and brows and select tests based on your history. Treatment is cause-specific and may address inflammation, infection or traction. Finasteride treatment requires a clinician's review of suitability and risks and may not address eyebrow loss.

Book an assessment when loss is sudden, patchy, rapidly advancing, or accompanied by scale, pain, redness, scarring or pus. Seek prompt care for a painful inflamed eyelid. Emergency assessment is needed for eye pain with vision change, severe swelling or marked light sensitivity. Earlier review can protect affected skin and clarify whether follicles remain active.

Ask which pattern is present, whether the brows and scalp share a cause, whether tests are needed, and which hair practices to change. Ask what regrowth timeline is realistic and which treatment risks apply to you.